Chapter Fifteen #2
Rose pulled on Georgie’s hand, forcing her to sit down. “Whoa, there. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Your parents may have other plans, as I know mine do. So I won’t be able to attend. Unless…”
Ellie loved how Rose’s mind worked, even if her pranks were so unexpected. “Unless what?”
“If I could get my brother to insist that I come with him and Dory because there will be many more available men here, I might be able to avoid the gathering at Thornwood Park, the duchess’s parents’ estate.
It tends to be a small, subdued affair, no dancing, and we all know how much the duke and duchess enjoy dancing the waltz together. ”
Everyone nodded, as the pair were known to ignore the fashion of married couples standing on the sidelines, specifically when it came to a waltz.
Rose gave them all a sly grin. “And maybe, if you invite the duchess, then she’ll want to come and convince her parents there’s no reason to have a gathering at all.”
To have Dory at the ball was more than Ellie could have hoped, but to have the Duke and Duchess of Northwick in attendance would ensure many would accept the invitations.
“Then I suggest we think of all the men I can invite and reconvene at dinner to discuss the options. Rose, you determine the best way to convince Joanna. Georgie, I know you have posed for Lady Sommerset, so perhaps you could convince her and the earl to attend. He has a younger brother as yet unwed. And if there is someone in particular any of you would like to have here, I’ll be happy to invite them.
I’ll even ask Lord Ferncroft to make the introductions. ”
“Did I hear my name?”
Ellie snapped her head up to find Darius leaning against the open doorway of the parlor.
Her heart fluttered at the sight. He looked particularly handsome in his gray pantaloons and black tailcoat.
His hair was slightly messy, probably due to the wind, as he’d been visiting a tenant who had a problem.
She smiled softly and held out her hand. “Indeed you did. Do come and reacquaint yourself with my friends.”
Darius strode forward and took her hand before standing next to her. “If I remember correctly, I have the honor of being in the presence Lady Sophie, Lady Georgina, and Lady Rose.”
Rose gave a regal nod. “Your memory, my lord, is quite impressive.”
Ellie couldn’t quite take her eyes off her husband, so when he looked at her and squeezed her hand, a meteor seemed to speed through her chest.
“I couldn’t forget anything about the day I married the woman who has brightened my life.”
“Oh, my lord. Do you have a brother?”
Georgie’s smitten voice forced Ellie to look at her. “He does. He has three. Why do you ask?”
Darius addressed her friend before Georgie could speak. “They are all happily wedded. My youngest brother married your classmate.”
“Yes, of course.” Georgie rearranged her skirts, avoiding eye contact.
Ellie didn’t like seeing Georgie uncomfortable, so she spoke to Darius. “We were discussing the Twelfth Night ball. I do hope you can add some unmarried gentlemen to my invitation list.”
“I will be happy to be of service in that regard. Now, however, I have a meeting with my steward, but I shall look forward to seeing you all at dinner.”
Darius squeezed her hand once again before letting go and striding from the room.
Sophie spoke first, her voice quiet as always. “He seems a different man than the one we met at the church.”
“I agree.” Rose, who’d watched Darius leave, turned back toward them. “He’s still formal, but less stiff.”
Georgie finally looked up. “He’s very intelligent.”
“He is all of those.” Ellie looked at each friend in turn. “I have learned much about him and discovered his first marriage was not all he had hoped it would be. I believe I am quite different from the late Lady Ferncroft, and for that he is grateful.”
Rose nodded as if that explained everything. “I speak for all of us, Ellie—we are very pleased for you.”
“Should we, perhaps, settle in and begin our visit in earnest?”
Sophie’s gentle suggestion reminded Ellie of her hosting duties. “Yes. You must be tired from your journey. We have many days to enjoy each other’s company.” She picked up the small bell and rang it before rising.
Rose gracefully stood. “I’m looking forward to our holiday together.”
Beacham stepped into the room. “My lady?”
“Please have Lady Rose, Lady Georgina, and Lady Sophie shown to their rooms.” Ellie nodded to each in turn.
“Of course. This way, my ladies.”
Georgie jumped up and followed Rose out, but Sophie simply rose.
Ellie turned toward her. “Thank you for the reminder. I have missed having you near.”
“Thank you for inviting me. I admit to being a bit lost without you, but I’m learning.”
She took Sophie’s hands. “And I want to hear about everything you’re learning and the literature I know you’ve read since I left…after you rest.”
Sophie gave her a grateful smile before releasing her hands and following the others out.
Ellie sighed, her pure happiness almost too much to keep inside. She wanted to run and laugh and throw her hands up in joy, which would probably spook the servants. Instead, she would kiss her husband and tell him exactly how pleased she was to be his wife.
Her decision made, she strode out of the room and across the entry to seek out Darius in his study. When she reached the door she turned the knob, but the door didn’t open. How odd. Could he still be meeting with his steward?
Turning about, she returned to the entry, where Beacham was overseeing a footman retrieving the cocoa cups and plates. “Beacham, is Lord Ferncroft still meeting with his steward?”
“No, my lady. The steward has left. He was only here for six minutes.”
She frowned. “Do you know why the door to the study is locked?”
“My guess would be that my lord locked it.”
“Yes, I surmised that as well, but do you know why he would?”
Beacham pulled himself even straighter, if that were possible. “I would not presume to understand my lord’s thoughts.”
Of course he wouldn’t. She tried a different tack. “Has he locked it before, or is this the first time?”
“Since I have served here, that room, as well as the parlor, ballrooms, a few bedrooms, the billiard room, and the larder have been locked on occasion. But I cannot say why, except for the larder, which the cook often locks.”
Beacham’s answer made her feel that perhaps it wasn’t such an unusual occurrence. “Do you know if my husband is in his study, then?”
This time Beacham blinked. “I do not know for certain. Last he called me he was in there.”
Something told her Beacham was hiding something and knew a bit more about the locked door. “I suppose I could knock and find out myself.”
She’d started to turn to do just that when Beacham spoke. “Usually, a locked door means that one should not enter.”
She studied the butler. He definitely knew something. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to go in the study for some reason. But why wouldn’t Darius want her in—
Oh. Could it be he had a gift just delivered for her and didn’t wish her to see it?
She grinned. That must be it. Why else would Beacham not want her to see if Darius was in there? After all, it was the season for surprises. “You’re right, Beacham. I promised Peter to check on him as soon as I was able, so I will head to the nursery. Did Mrs. Clark make the baked apples for him?”
“She did.”
“Very good. He shall have them with his dinner. Thank you, Beacham.” With that, she headed up the stairs smiling.